A new study finds that PFAS chemicals in young adults may harm gut bacteria, leading to reduced kidney function and possibly increasing long-term kidney disease risk.
Tom Perkins reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Researchers found that PFAS exposure altered gut bacteria and metabolites in young adults, which correlated with a decrease in kidney function over four years.
- The study showed reductions in anti-inflammatory metabolites, alongside increased inflammatory compounds, which could worsen kidney health, especially for those with conditions like diabetes.
- The findings suggest that treatments or diet changes could help protect kidney function in PFAS-exposed individuals and emphasize the need for policy limits on PFAS production and use.
Key quote:
“Along with these metabolic diseases comes a higher risk of diabetic or chronic kidney diseases, and this is one of the fastest-growing causes of mortality in the US.”
— Jesse Goodrich, one of the University of Southern California study’s co-authors
Why this matters:
Kidney disease rates are rising, and the potential link between PFAS exposure and kidney health signals a public health concern. Reducing PFAS in consumer products could help curb exposure, while research into therapies may offer hope for at-risk populations.
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